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“Welcome to the Easter Term”. While that would normally be an unremarkable message at this time of year, it may seem strange to read it today, with the world in lockdown, the University buildings closed and Cambridge a ghost town.
But in many ways it is still the most important message I can offer. We are in business. However, circumstances require that our core academic activities take place virtually. Lectures are being delivered, essays are being written, and marked supervisions are being held. Final year undergraduates and Master's students are revising hard for their examinations, dissertations are being finalised for submission and a significant proportion of our students are continuing to pursue research. I thank all our students for the overwhelmingly cheery way they have been facing this far-from-ideal situation, and I pay tribute to all the members of the College and the University who are supporting the students in their endeavours: Directors of Studies, Supervisors, Lecturers, Tutors, Counsellors, Librarians and College staff, all of whom have adapted to the virtual world we live in.
We are also getting back into the swing of College life. WCSA have been particularly active, with online yoga and drawing classes and the Green Society held their first lecture of the term yesterday. I am particularly looking forward to the Wolfson Research Event, which will run online, towards the end of term. I hope you are receiving What’s on at Wolfson – if not, please subscribe today.
Of course, some of our number are not able to carry on as anything like normal. Our amazing final year medics have graduated early and are now working in our NHS. A number of our Fellows and alumni are contributing directly to the effort to defeat COVID-19, in the NHS or through their research, or their businesses. Our PhD students who need labs or workshops or fieldwork are on hold. And some of us have experienced anxiety and loss. The importance of a community like Wolfson is that we all have a place where we know we will be supported, where we can find inspiration and hope for the future.
I look forward to welcoming you all back home – meanwhile keep safe, and keep in touch.
PLEASE DONATE TODAY
Our financial resources will be severely strained by this crisis. Your donation will help Wolfson respond. A gift of any size will help the College to continue to provide the best possible support for our students and research community in these unprecedented times.
WOLFSON AT WORK
The view from ICU
Fellow Dr Virginia Newcombe is Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Physician and a Clinician Scientist in the Department of Medicine. She reports on the situation at Addenbrooke's, the unusual features of COVID-19 and how to care for patients in ICU.
Nisha and David at work in the Wolfson gardens, safely keeping two metres apart.
IfM students lend a helping hand
Fathima Nisha Begum Samad and David Cordova Jimenez, both MPhil students in Industrial Systems Manufacture and Management (ISMM) have been drafted to bring their knowledge of industrial practices to the front line of the Coronavirus pandemic here in Cambridge.
The importance of play
One of Wolfson's newest Fellows, Professor Paul Ramchandani, the LEGO Professor of Play, says we don't yet know what effects the coronavirus crisis will have on children and adolescents, but it's important to keep play in the picture.
Wolfson Fellow calls for Open IP pledge
Fellow of Wolfson Dr Frank Tietze argues that we should not let Intellectual Property concerns prevent manufacturers and technology companies from collaborating on solutions to the pandemic.
FACES FROM THE FRONTLINE
In addition to the recent cohort of medics who graduated early and are being drafted into the NHS, we have some alumna who are already hard at work. Katy Chisenga (left), who graduated in 2018, is working at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on the Care of the Elderly wards. Sonny Smart (former Captain of WCBC), graduated last year and is working at Addenbrooke's as a Junior Doctor on the Respiratory Ward. Sonny says, "I've struggled to find a time when I'm not thinking about coronavirus and how it'll affect my patients, my family and my colleagues. This has definitely posed a far greater challenge that I ever expected in my first year as a doctor." Katy recently appeared in a video by the African Caribbean Medical Mentors to reassure new medics. We're very proud of you both!
AROUND COLLEGE
Moving teaching online
Our Librarians are assisting academics and students to move to an online teaching environment. Librarian Meg Westbury and Academic-Skills Librarian Laura Jeffrey made a set of videos featuring Admissions Tutor Lesley MacVinish and former Senior Tutor Jane McLarty as part of a guide to Online Reading.
Head Gardener retires
In his 19 years as Head Gardener, Phil Stigwood's love of plants transformed the College Gardens and he shared his knowledge and passion with many members over the years. We wish him all the best in his new ventures.
Thank Ewe NHS
First-year vet student and Alborada scholar Chloe Ellison spent three weeks lambing as veterinary school placements continue during Coronavirus lockdown. Find out more about her experience.
YOGA GOES VIRTUAL
Thanks to a pair of dedicated students, Wolfson members can still attend free yoga classes three times per week live — or as often as you want, on demand.
The Judas tree is in full bloom right now, looking spectacular as always. Photographer Martin Bond (who also teaches yoga at Wolfson) caught it at its finest. Martin posts a photo of Cambridge every day on his website and on Twitter @acambridgediary
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY
Healthcare startup
Wolfson alumnus Ahmed Elmi has developed a health technology company that is helping connect medical practitioners and patients during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Erging for charity
Two Wolfson students are participating in Row Britannia, a team 2,020-mile rowing challenge, to be completed between 12 November 2019 and 6 June 2020. They hope to raise £3,000 for Sport Relief and mental health.
Calling all choristers
Did you sing in the Wolfson College Choir? If so, the Music Society would like your help to build a virtual scrapbook of choir memories. Please send your photos and memories of your time to Emma Brown. And be sure to follow the Music Society on Facebook.
Green talks online
The first of our Green Talks took place yesterday. The Changing Arctic, its Challenges and Global Impact will be presented by Ms Marie Anne Coninsx, Former EU Ambassador at Large to the Arctic and Wolfson Alumna. It was recorded to watch again.
Head Porter Mike Wignall was a bit surprised to see an interloper sneak into the Plodge. Watch the video captured on our CCTV camera to see who it was.
Senior Member Sheila Betts has been making scrubs for NHS workers as part of the group Cambridge - For the love of scrubs. The group is coordinated by alumna Patricia Sutton (MEd 2013).
The latest issue of Contemporary European History was edited by Wolfson Fellow and Director of Studies in History, Dr Celia Donert.
Alumnus Eric Monkman is hosting a daily #QuizWithEric on his Twitter account.
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE
This term is usually one of the busiest and most exciting times in our calendar.
Earlier this year, we had planned a trip to the USA, a full May Bumps weekend and celebrations with donors and students alike - rest assured that our thoughts are still with you all! We are moving the schedule online, so watch out for your virtual invitations shortly and bear with us as we try out new ways of keeping in touch.
Supporting students is always at the forefront of our minds. It is especially pleasing to read about and celebrate students and alumni making a difference – especially those in medicine, veterinary science and engineering that benefit from awards from The ALBORADA Trust and Tom Ridgman Engineering Bursary, to name a few.
A big thank you to everyone who has generously sent a gift and to those who are continuing with their regular donations during these difficult times. It is greatly appreciated.
Please keep in touch, send in your news and keep your details up to date online.
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